Vehicle mounted warning device

ABSTRACT

Means for supporting a visual warning signal for movement on a vehicle between a retracted, concealed position and an extended display position; a latch releasably holding said signal in the concealed position and a spring biasing it to display position when released by the latch; the movement of the signal to display position being controlled by limiting and speed checking devices.

4 O Umted States Patent 1151 3,678,456 Gruber 1451 July 18, 1972 [54]VEHICLE MOUNTED WARNING 2,654,338 10/1953 Deal DEVICE 2,738,492 3/1956Arneson et a1 2,843,836 7/1958 McDonald, Jr [72] Inventor: Eugene er aidGruber, :10 Paisley Bou- 2 924 1 2 9 0 popkess et l a d. Mlsslssauga,ntari Can 3,117,549 1/1964 Ripepe 22 F1 d: 197 3,128,448 4/1964 Shumeret al.... 1 7 0 3,143,722 8/1964 Murch [21] Appl. No.: 95,811 3,439,3264/1969 Boudin ..340/87 9 Primary Examiner-L0uis J. Capozi [52] U.S.CI...340/87, 40/ 129 Q31 13/1218; Attorney beon Anhms [51] Int. Cl. ..B60qH00 57 2 ABSTRACT [58] FieldofSearch..... ...116/28, 63, 132, 132 A,173,

' 1 4 175' 40/129 340/84, 87 89 90 Means for supportingavlsualwam1ngs1gnal for movement on 119, 122, 136i 144; 240/71 a vehiclebetween a retracted, concealed position and an extended displayposition; a latch releasably holding said signal [56] References Citedin the concealed position and a spring biasing it to display positionwhen released by the latch; the movement of the UNITED STATES PATENTSsignal to display position being controlled by limiting and speedchecking devices. 2,538,885 1/1951 Schumann, Jr ..1 16/28 UX 2,637,2935/1953 Graham et al. ..116/28 2 Clains, 5 Drawing Figures Q \gss 28 l i3 c 1 1! I :n f r All Patented July 18, 1972 3,678,456

2 Sheets-Sheet l 7O F/G.3.

INVENTOR Z. G. GRUBf/Q ATIORNhY Patented July 18, 1972 3,678,456

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY ZMMM ATTORNEY VEHICLE MOUNTED WARNING DEVICE Thisinvention relates to a warning device for mounting on a vehicle forproviding a visible notification of distress to other people.

Various types of warning device for mounting on vehicles are known inthe prior art and in particular such devices for mounting on roadvehicles are known wherein a telescopic device is mounted in a prominentposition on the exterior of the vehicle for actuation by remote controlfrom, for example, the drivers position in the interior of the vehicle.Amongst such telescopic devices have been disclosed the use ofcompression springs to effect the telescopic movement of the device froman inoperative position, in which no warning is visible, to an operativeposition in which a warning is visibly displayed.

It is; a broad object of the patent invention to provide a warningde'vice having at least two elementsmovable relative to one anotherwherein one such element is fixedly securable to the vehicle and theother element is movable between a retracted inoperativeposition and anextended display position; and wherein such relative movement is dampedfor providing a smooth extending action free from sudden jolts or stops.I

In accordance with the invention the subject warning device comprises asupport for mounting on a vehicle and a visual warning signal movablerelative to said support between a retracted position in which it isconcealed from sight and a extended display position in which itprovides a visible warning; a spring being provided for biasing saidsignalto its said extended position and a damper for slowing the rate ofextension of said signal as the limit of its extension is approached,the device also including a latch normally restraining said signal inits retracted position against the bias of said spring and said latchbeing releasable for permitting extension of said signal as aforesaid.

Other objects of the invention more or less broad than the foregoingwill become apparent from the hereinafter following description of theparts, principles and elements thereof given herein solely by way ofexample with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views andwherein:

FIG. I is a sideelevational view of the subject warning device in itsinoperative position;

FIG. 2 is a view of the device in its operative position with thewarning signal proper displayed to view; the device being shown mountedon the rear fender of an automobile;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the device in its inoperativeposition;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the device in its operative positionwith the signal extended particularly showing the operation of thedamper and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a modified form of theinvention showing the warning signal proper at an intermediate position.

Referring first of all to the embodiment of the device shown in FIGS. Ito 4 of the drawings, it will be seen that the warning device iscomprised of a support in the form of an elongated tubular housing and awarning signal proper I2 telescopi cally contained in said housing formovement relative thereto between the retracted position of FIG. 1, inwhich the signal is concealed from sight, and the extended position ofFIG. 2 in which the signal 12 is visibly displayed. The housing 10 isfixedly securable at a suitable location on the vehicle in a prominentposition thereon whereby the warning signal proper 12 may be readilyobserved when it is in its extended display position thereby serving asa visible notification of distress to other people.

The warning device also includes a stop 14 for limiting the extendingmovement of the signal 12 relative to its housing 10; a spring 16 forbiasing the signal 12 to its said extended posi tion; a damper 18 forslowing the rate of extension of said signal 12 as the limit of itsextension is approached and a latch 20 normally restraining said signal12 in its retracted position against the bias of said spring 16 andbeing releasable for permitting extension of said signal 12 asaforesaid.

Referring now to FIG. 3 of the drawings, it will be seen that theaforesaid housing 10 herein is of circular transverse crosssectionalform, and provided at its lower end with an annular flange 22 by meansof which it may be secured to a vehicle in a prominent position thereonas aforesaid, such as on the rear fender of an automobile as shown inFIG. 2. In the said FIG. 3 embodiment, the warning signal proper 12 isin the form of a readily visible flag 24 preferably of a brightlycolored material such as for example one which is impregnated with redor orange fluorescent figments and is movable relative to the housing 10between the fully retracted position shown in FIG. 3 and an extendeddisplay position as shown in FIG. 4.

In order to mount the warning signal 12 for telescopic sliding movementrelative to the housing 10, the flag 24 is mounted upon a mast 26 havinga closure cap 28 secured thereto at its upper end and being fixedlysecured at its lower end upon a plunger 30 which is a snug sliding fitwithin the interior of the housing 10. As will be seen from FIGS. 3 and4 of the drawings the aforesaid spring 16, in the form of a coilcompression spring, acts between the lower closed end of the housing 10and the underside of the plunger 30 to bias the signal 12 outwardly ofthe upper open end of the housing whilst the damper 18, in the form of afurther coil compression spring, is located between the upper surface ofthe said plunger 30 and the limit stop 14 at the upper open end of thehousing.

Said stop 14 is in the form of an annular shoulder fixedly securedwithin the interior of the housing 10 and has an internal diameter whichis less than the external diameter of the plunger 30 whereby theextending movement of the signal 12 out of the housing 10 is limited.The said damper coil spring 18 is secured by its upper end convolutionsto the underneath of the annular shoulder 14 and depends therefromwithin the housing 10. The lowermost convolutions of the damper springI8 are conveniently secured to an annular ring 32 impingeable by theupper surface of plunger 30 as the said plunger approaches the limitstop 14. Thus said signal 12 is extended under the influence of the maincoil spring 16 acting on the under surface of the plunger 30 and therate of extension is slowed by the damper coil spring 18 as the uppersurface of the plunger 30 contacts said ring 32 as the limit stop 14 isapproached at the extremity of the extendingmovement of the signal.

Such slowing down of the extending movement of the signal provides asmooth extension free from any jolts or sudden stops whereby the variousparts of the assembly are less prone to damage and wear during use.

Thus in the extended position shown in FIG. 4 the plunger 30 is floatingbetween the main coil spring 16 and the damper coil spring 18. It willof course be appreciated that the main coil spring 16 is considerablystronger than the damper spring 18 whereby, in the extended position ofFIG. 4, the damper spring 18 is under considerable compression whilstthe main coil spring 16 is still under some slight degree of compressionbut has almost reached its unstressed condition. Conversely, in theretracted position of the signal as shown in FIG. 3, the main coilspring 16 is under considerable compression whilst the damper spring 18is unstressed.

As previously mentioned, the warning signal 12 is retained in its saidretracted position by a latch 20 which in the embodiment shown hereinco-acts directly with the plunger 30 carrying the signal thereon. Morespecifically the latch 20 is in the form of a tongue insertable andwithdrawable through a corresponding aperture 34 in the side of thehousing 10 to engage with the upper surface of the plunger 30 torestrain the warn- 7 ing signal 12 in its retracted position against thebias of the main coil spring 16. As will be clearly seen from FIGS. 1 to3, the tongue 20 is fixedly mounted on a stirrup 36 passing partiallyaround the exterior of the housing 10; said stirrup 36 being comprisedof a pair of limbs 36a interconnected by a yoke 36b; the extremities ofsaid limbs 36a being pivotally mounted on said housing at diametricallyopposed locations 38 whilst the tongue 20 is carried by said yoke 37b.Said stirrup 36 is biased towards the housing to bring the tongue intoits plunger engaging position by means of a coil tension spring 40 alsoembracing the housing and having its ends parted to the respective limbs36:: as shown and retained in position by a clip 42 on the exterior ofthe housing.

The latch 20 is conveniently actuated by means of a cable, one end ofwhich is illustrated diagrammatically at 44 in FIGS. 1 to 3, the otherend of which may be connected to a suitable control at a position remotefrom the location at which the warning device is mounted, as for examplein the interior of the vehicle adjacent the drivers position. As shownin FIG. 2 said cable 44 enters the interior of the vehicle adjacent theposition at which the device is mounted.

Thus, the application of tension to the cable 44, when the signal 12 isin its retracted position as shown in FIG. 3, will pivot the stirrup 36downwardly withdrawing the tongue 20 from engagement with the uppersurface ofthe plunger and permitting extension of the signal under theinfluence of the main coil spring 16, which extension will be damped asaforesaid as the limit stop 14 is approached by the plunger 30 and thedamper 18 is engaged. It will further be noted that, in the embodimentsshown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the warning flag 24 is provided with a weightbar 46, pivotally mounted at that end thereof adjacent the mast 26 upona bracket 48 secured to the mast, so that, upon emergence of the signalfrom the housing, the weight bar 46 will fall under gravity to releasethe flag 24 from its folded position as shown in FIG. 3 to the fullydisplayed position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.

It should furthermore be noted that the end closure cap 28 secured tothe top of the mast 26 is proportioned to fit snugly over the exteriorof the open end of the housing 10 when the signal 12 is in its retractedposition forming a weatherproof closure and protecting the contents ofthe interior of the housing 10.

-As illustrated herein, the tongue 20 which restrains the signal 12 inits retracted position is of square-ended form whereby it will notnormally be possible to retract the signal 12 from the extended positionof FIG. 4 to the retracted position of FIG. 3 by ratcheting the plunger30 past the tongue 20. It will be apparent that the signal 12 may bemoved back to its retracted position by downward pressure upon the endclosure cap 28, against the influence of the main coil spring 16, untilthe plunger 30 is located below the aperture 34 in the housing at whichtime the tongue 20 may be re-engaged with the upper surface of theplunger 30. However, by squaring the end of the tongue 2, andprohibiting a ratcheting action of the plunger 30 past the tongue 20when the plunger 30 is being moved downwardly within the housing, itwill be necessary for the operator to withdraw the tongue 20 to therelease position as shown in FIG. 2 before the plunger may be movedbelow the aperture to permit reengagement of the tongue 20 with theplunger 30. Such an arrangement prohibits movement of the signal 12 toits retracted position merely by means of pushing the signal downwardlyinto the housing since a positive step will be required to move thelatch 20 to its release position prior to movement of the signal to itsfully retracted position with subsequent re-insertion of the latch 20 toits plunger engaging position.

Turning now to the modification shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings, it mayfirst of all be observed that the essential mechanical actuation andoperation of the signal 12' shown therein between its retracted andextended positions is identical with that hereinbefore described withreference to the FIGS. 1 to 4 embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 5 thewarning signal proper 12' is in the form of an electric light bulb 50conveniently protected within a casing 52 of a readily distinguishablecolor such as red or amber for example. As will be further explainedherein in more detail, the various electrical connections to the lightbulb 50 are arranged so that, in the retracted position of the signal,electrical contact is broken whilst contact is automatically completedto illuminate the lamp upon movement thereof to the extended displayposition.

Referring now to FIG. 5 in more detail, it will be observed that themain coil spring 16 and the arrangement and location of the stop 14 anddamper spring 16 are identical with the preceding embodiment whereas theplunger 30' upon which the warning signal proper is mounted is modifiedto accommodate the appropriate electrical connections as hereinafterdescribed. To this end the said plunger 30 is formed of an electricallyinsulating material having an externally threaded bushing 54 on itsupper surface to which is screw threaded the aforesaid casing 52 for thelamp 50; the upper end of said casing 52 having an end closure cap 28'for the housing 10 secured thereto. As illustrated herein, the casing 52is conveniently formed of a colored plastics material provided withappropriate vent holes 53 to dissipate the heat generated within thecasing by the electric lamp.

In this embodiment the said lamp 50 is shown as having a single centerpole 56 and a screw thread 58 mounting into an appropriate lamp socketsecured to the upper surface of the plunger 30'. When the lamp 50 isscrewed into its socket, the center pole 56 makes electrical connectionwith a contact 60 in the form of a rivet extending through the plunger30' and connected by an electric cable 62 to a flasher unit 64 and anelectrical energizer 66 which may conveniently be the battery of thevehicle to which the device is fitted. The screw thread 58 of the lampmakes electrical contact with a threaded shell 68 provided with acontact 70 on the upper surface of the plunger casing 30 and extendingradially outwardly thereof beyond the lamp casing 52.

Although said contact 70 extends radially outwardly beyond the lampcasing 52, it does in fact terminate somewhat short of the periphery ofthe plunger 30' whereby said contact 70 is prevented from contacting theinterior of the housing 10. Thus, in the position shown in FIG. 5, thereis no completed electrical connection to the lamp 50 as the screw shell68 accommodating the lamp is not grounded to complete the circuit, saidcontact 70 being isolated by the insulating material of the plunger 30'and the lamp casing 52. However, upward movement of the warning signalto its extended display position will, as previously described, causethe upper surface of the plunger 30' to impinge upon the damper spring18 to slow the extending movement of the signal at which time theelectrical circuit is completed as the projecting contact 70 contactsthe ring 32 attached to the lowermost convolutions of the damper spring18 thereby completing the circuit to ground. Although for the sake ofclarity herein a separate ground connection is shown to the housing 10,it will be appreciated that normally such grounding will be establishedby the fastening of the housing 10 to the vehicle body by means ofscrews or bolts passing through the flange 22.

What] claim is:

1. A warning device for mounting on a vehicle including:

an electric lamp constituting a visual warning signal;

a support carrying said signal thereon, said signal being movablerelative to said support between a retracted position in which it isconcealed from sight and a display position in which it is extended fromsaid support to provide a visible warning;

a stop for limiting the extension of said signal from said support;

a spring for biasing said signal towards its said display position;

a damper for slowing the rate of extension of said signal as said limitstop is approached;

a latch normally restraining said signal in its retracted positionagainst the bias of said spring means, said latch being releasable forpermitting extension of said signal as aforesaid;

said support comprises an elongated tubular housing wholly containingsaid signal in its said retracted position and being open at one endthereof permitting telescopic extension of said signal out of said end;

said spring and damper also being contained within said housing andacting upon said telescopically movable signal as aforesaid;

a plunger is contained within said housing for snug sliding movementtherein, said plunger providing a mounting upon which said signal issecured;

said spring acting between said plunger and apart of said housing tobias said signal out of said housing end and said damper beingengageable by said plunger as said limit stop is approached;

a socket carried on said plunger and accommodating said lamp;

said socket having a first contact therein permanently connected to agrounded electrical energizer and a second contact engageable withsaiddamper only in the display position;

said damper being grounded to provide a complete electrical circuitilluminating said signal when in the display position aforesaid.

2. A warning device as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said plunger is formed of an electrically insulating material;

said second contact is carried on the upper surface of said plungerspaced from the interior of said housing;

said damper comprises a coil spring located between said open end of thehousing and said plunger and,

the lowermost convolutions of said damper spring are impingeable by saidsecond contact to complete the electrical circuit as aforesaid.

1. A warning device for mounting on a vehicle including: an electriclamp constituting a visual warning signal; a support carrying saidsignal thereon, said signal being movable relative to said supportbetween a retracted position in which it is concealed from sight and adisplay position in which it is extended from said support to provide avisible warning; a stop for limiting the extension of said signal fromsaid support; a spring for biasing said signal towards its said displayposition; a damper for slowing the rate of extension of said signal assaid limit stop is approached; a latch normally restraining said signalin its retracted position against the bias of said spring means, saidlatch being releasable for permitting extension of said signal asaforesaid; said support comprises an elongated tubular housing whollycontaining said signal in its said retracted position and being open atone end thereof permitting telescopic extension of said signal out ofsaid end; said spring and damper also being contained within saidhousing and acting upon said telescopically movable signal as aforesaid;a plunger is contained within said housing for snug sliding movementtherein, said plunger providing a mounting upon which said signal issecured; said spring acting between said plunger and a part of saidhousing to bias said signal out of said housing end and said damperbeing engageable by said plunger as said limit stop is approached; asocket carried on said plunger and accommodating said lamp; said sockethaving a first contact therein permanently connected to a groundedelectrical energizer and a second contact engageable with said damperonly in the display position; said damper being grounded to provide acomplete electrical circuit illuminating said signal when in the displayposition aforesaid.
 2. A warning device as claimed in claim 1 wherein:said plunger is formed of an electrically insulating material; saidsecond contact is carried on the upper surface of said plunger spacedfrom the interior of said housing; said damper comprises a coil springlocated between said open end of the housing and said plunger and, thelowermost convolutions of said damper spring are impingeable by saidsecond contact to complete the electrical circuit as aforesaid.